Chrisette Michelle Speaks On Her Decision To Go Natural…

R&B singer Chrisette Michelle has been through many transitions with her hair during her time in the spotlight. Just last week, she made headlines after photos of her “shaved head” leaked online . I chatted with her briefly over the weekend and she explained to me her motivation behind going natural as well as her reaction to the photos that leaked on the internet. Check out our interview below:

Necole: Thanks for speaking with me. I wanted to talk to you about those new photos of you that hit the internet.

Chrisette: It was crazy! I never get weird pictures or anything like that on the internet. That’s not my claim to anything so my Dad hit me up and he tells me there is a picture of me on the internet with my head shaved and I’m like “Oh MY God! that’s not good”.

Necole: You revealed your new hairstyle at a show at Albany State University right?

Chrisette: I didn’t really plan to reveal it. I was at a show and I had a hat on so when I went backstage there was a bunch of kids with cameras. They saw the front of my head and since it was so light blond and close to my skin complexion they made headlines that I had shaved my head bald. I was a bit disappointed. I did cut my hair off. It’s a quarter inch. It’s not shaven but I was so over the hair damage and everything I was dealing with having the other hair style so I said that I was going to go back natural.

Necole: When I posted your photos to my blog with the quote from you on why you decided to go natural, there were over 200 Comments. I didn’t expect that. I remember one comment in particular said that “Women who have natural hair look down on women who prefer to relax their hair because they secretly hate their own hair” and so forth. It was like a battle between those who prefer natural hair and those who prefer relaxed hair.

Chrisette: It’s so interesting to me because my thing is I always want to bring unity. For me it’ll never be a battle between a natural sister and a relaxed sister. It’ll always be what’s best for you and what’s best for me is having the healthiest hair possible. I’m a girl who has always had healthy hair and getting into the music industry has ruined my hair care regimen because you have to be on 10 all the time. So the easiest way for me to be on 10 is to be on 10 naturally.

Necole: Someone made the comment that shaving her hair off was the most liberating experience she has had as a woman. Do you feel the same way?

Chrisette: It definitely was liberating because people told me that my style; who I am as a musician, who I am as a person, and who I am as a body type would never fly in this industry. 1) because I’m too thick 2) because my hair was nappy 3) because I wasn’t singing about what everyone else was singing about. I am not interested in really selling sex, that’s not really my brand so I’ve faced a lot of challenges so far and wanting to go natural for 6-7 months now was a challenge. People that I asked (not from my label) was like “You can’t do that. That doesn’t match fashion. You can’t be high-fashion with nappy hair”.

Necole: You actually had a natural hairstyle when you first signed to Def Jam. Did your music label encourage you to change your image?

Chrisette: Well, the cool thing about my label is that they don’t do much at all. They are free-spirited with me and they’ve always been very gracious watching me change my hair all the time. Even when they signed me, it was kinky. They signed me with nappy hair.Necole: In the past few weeks, I feel as though a lot of artists have been stepping out and making statements in the name of “creative freedom” and expression. What was your initial reaction to Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” video?

Chrisette: The day the album was released I went to her album release party in Los Angeles. I have always been her biggest fan. Her video definitely inspired me to be comfortable being myself and to be honest with myself. She said “this is me, this is who I am, lets think outside the box” and that’s definitely what I am saying with everything I am now and everything that I am doing now. So I am so proud of her for being so brave and courageous.

Necole: I saw her video and it actually made me sit back and evaluate everything in my life and everything I was doing. Like am I a part of this “group think”? I go through stages with my hair just like the next woman. Do I want to be straight..do i want to be big and wild..how will people react to this or that? Like I feel at times we use our hair as a security blanket. The longer my hair is or the “bigger” I wear it, the more I hide my insecurities. And then sometimes I just feel like India Arie “I am not my hair”

Chrisette: But the truth of the matter is, everyone keep saying to me “I am not my hair”. I AM my hair. Whether I wear long tresses on my head or short naps, that’s me. And when you say something crazy about it or disrespect it, you hurt my feelings. Artists like to make believe that nothing effects them and that they love haters and haters make them stronger. That’s a load of bullcrap. I think that Haters are mean and that’s all that’s to it. So…I am my hair.

Necole: I was told you have photos of your new hairstyle. When do you plan to reveal them?

Chrisette: Me and Derek Blanks did a photo shoot titled “For Freedom Not For Beauty” because the main reason for this is not about being beautiful. It’s about being free from the status quo and from being in the box and from being what everybody thinks one person should be. And really just liberating oneself and becoming what that person wants to be. I also wrote a poem that goes with it.For Freedom Not For Beauty

There’s a beauty that lives so deep inside each of us.

There’s a fickle eye
that doesn’t believe anything it sees.

There’s a benefit in love that erases all doubt and believes good intentions.

There’s an ear that isn’t free enough to give the honest man the benefit of the doubt cluttered by lies not-mentioned.

Since when is creativity subject to criticism?

When is honesty subject to a jury of fears who wouldn’t believe rain if it fell, or sun if it shined?

Sometimes a flower grows when no ones watching.

Sometimes a bird sings and no one hears.

There’s a meadow no one runs on and a cloud no one names.

And what would the sky be with out the sun?

What would the earth be with out its rose?

They’d still be the sky and the Earth.

So perhaps there is a peace in becoming.

Perhaps the meaning is in the experience and not the sight.

Maybe a flower grows because it suffocates under ground.

Whether or not she is always noticed, beauty must become.

She doesn’t look for an eye.

She doesn’t listen for a voice.

She just becomes,

For Freedom Not For Beauty

-Chrisette Michele

Necole’s note: A friend of mine actually text me the other day and wrote:

“Chrisette’s picture inspired me to go back natural. I have 6 weeks to grow out my roots before I chop it all off. Pray for me!”.

You never know who you inspire…

You can also check out another interview on Chrisette’s Hair Journey over at AfroBella

I think it looks great on her! She has a very pretty face and head, and that low cut fits her. I also liked when she was rocking her short bufont. I liked it though because long or short, Chrisette OWNS her hair. She’s comfortable with it, so then it looks great on her.

I absolutely luuuuvvvv it! I used to have my head like that and I was just as confident if not more than when I had longer hair. Black women get caught up in this weave, relax hair, natural hair thing and it’s crazy! My best friend has to have her hair did every other week. I on the other hand do not have the patience to sit and get my hair done like that. Whateva you decide to do with your hair, do you and be happy with who you are. Peace and love.

Wow having a bald head isn’t attractive. I wonder if Allen would say the same about Amber Rose. Allen if you don’t like shaved natural hair, you can always find someone with naturally long hair, weave or extenstions. For an Africian Amercian woman shaved head is a symbol of beauty and courage. I love it! Not everyone can do it anyways! Got to love a woman with a mind and inspiration of her own.

I absolutely love Chrisette. I cut my hair last year because I was so in love with her hair in the Love is You video. The important thing is she’s so beautiful. She can wear her hair anyway and still be her.

My hair has been natural for the past 12 years and 2 two years I decided to shave my head. Yes, it is a very liberating experience, you shed more than your hair, you shed built up energy. I loved my shaved head, and men were definitely loving my look. I decided to keep growing out my hair after that interesting summer. I enjoy my natural hair, I have no problem with sister’s getting perms and weaves, my only problem is when some sister’s look at a natural haired woman like their crazy for going natural. It’s only a problem when you are ashamed of your natural hair pattern. I applaud Chrisette for doing her own thing in this industry, I think it looks beautiful! And if there are people who don’t like it, it’s hair and it will grow back.

I think she looks great. Not everyone can pull of that cut. Im ready to chop my daughters hair too. She’s kinky curly and is obsessed with wanting long hair. But her scalp is too damn sensitive to even take a Denman paddle brush or those shampoo combs to it. She damn near weeped when I said Im cutting it off then. Either you want the pain or don’t.

I traveled all the way to Long Island to see her hair stylist just to get my hair cut. Chrisette is real, real enough to disconnect herself from the relationship we have with our hair. We’ve been forced into thinking that our hair has to be a certain way all the time or mimic someone else’s. I’m proud of her..

I think her personality is what makes her cute. I went from long hair to short hair (permed) and I got a lot of compliments. It totally changed my look and outlook. But, I think everything is about personality. If you love it, it shows. If you are unsure. then it shows. Either way, you should do what’s best for you.

I did my big chop in Feb 2009 so I’ve been natural for over a year now. I freaking love my hair. I love playing in it and washing it lol. Wearing it a big as possible. I don’t knock anybody who gets a relaxer. Sh*t I use to get relaxers so how can I knock someone. I know alot of naturals who flat iron there hair and where it straight all the time. It’s just about hair people. Relax. We all go natural for different reasons and none of those reasons is to try and be better than someone else. I think that chicks who think that naturals think they are better than relaxed chicks secretly want to go natural.

F-U Allen. It’s ninjas like you that wouldn’t know a REAL woman or REAL beauty if it slapped you in the face. WTF is a woman supposed to look like? Last we checked, CM didn’t have a peen so STFU pls..

CM is a BEAUTIFUL person inside and out with an amazinG voice.. It’s a choice that black woman can rock many styles and still look womanly and gorgeous.. but you probably wouldn’t know that, cuz ur too busy lookin for blondie. Real Blk woman probably aren’t checkin 4u anyway.

@ avery cheyenne- i train in the gym daily and that’s the #1 excuse from the sistas why they don’t wanna work out- SWEATING OUT THE HAIR DO! Sorry ladies- that goes with the territory:-/ chop it off or blow dry it out after ur workout…

@EXODUS i think u took my words out my mouth!! I DID the BC last year& went natural till Nov. then succumbed to pressure & decided to relax m hair AGAIN…i ABSOLETUL HATE IT! & NOW im going back natural, with my BC due in June. Its an amazing liberating feelig which 1 cant describe, but i remember m friends looking at me crazy when i did it…..guess they were just dissatisfied themself!

“Women who have natural hair look down on women who prefer to relax their hair because they secretly hate their own hair”

OMG who said that bs? Lol, if a natural headed woman hated her hair, how easy is it to just throw a relaxer on it? I have yet to meet another woman with natural hair who doesn’t love being natural, however, women with relaxed hair come up to me on a regular basis expressing an interest in going natural. Although hair is just hair, what you do with it is your personal choice. Some natural women just want to educate those with relaxed hair, because most of us have been on both sides of the journey: relaxed and natural. Let them know that you can love the hair that God gave you without the chemicals. Relaxed women shouldn’t down natural woman and vice versa. We all have our own hair journey and no one is the authority on another woman’s journey.

I love chrisette’s hair! it reminds me of when solange cut hers. I’ve always wanted to do this and I think I might now. shoot, if amber rose, solange, and chrisette can do it and look fiecre, why can’t I?

I’m sooo happy to see another woman stepping outside the box and not being with society wants them to be. I recently went natural in Nov. 09 and I still hear mess from certain people. I had long hair and it was healthy. Sometimes it would get damage and break off and I was tired of going through that. At times I want to perm to fit back in but I don’t! Chrisette motivates me to continue my natural hair journey : D

Chrisette looks gorgeous regardless of her hair…she just has a naturally beautiful face! I am currently growing out my relaxer to transition to natural. Hair is not just a main focus of black women…look at how often white women toss THEIR hair on a daily basis…

you guys are now goin on like shaving your head is gna add food to ur table add money to your pockets or get u a job, which is what black people shuld be out there doing instead of nursing ridiculous insecurities and getting lost in these soo called creative illusions all the time! kmt- you people are lost

The cut looks great on her. It doesn’t look great on everyone though. But it looks good on her, she has a gorgeous face and can pull any look off.

I’m in the planning process of going natural. I’m waiting until the fall to start my transition, but I’m not doing the big chop like her. I’m doing it the long way. it’s a choice, my hair still curls even with a perm. I still work out and “sweat my hair out”. If women are concerned about that, put a scarf on and wrap it like a headband. I wish we would stop judging each other based on if they go natural or not. Everyone has their reasons to perm their hair, or go natural. We need to be more concerned about other things with us women, then hair.

why the first comment really have to be that dude? smh. i agree with some of the ladies here with the “to each, her own” thing. i love fashion & the hairstyles that come along. long, short, cropped, poofy, curly, what-eh-ver. i’m the type of girl that loves change; a chameleon… beauty is beauty, though, & Chrisette definitely is one of the many living testaments to this. be-eee-au-tiful. [standing ovation] hope she comes to boston one day…

I’m feeling what CM is saying but why does she feel the need to call it nappy hair. I wear my hair natural also and feel quiet offended.
We shouldn’t be calling our hair nappy. We all have beautiful hair whether its relaxed or natural.

Going natural is a beautiful thing, but it’s not the easiest. I am 100% natural, and my hair reaches my lower back. Natural hair comes in ALL textures. As long as you take care of it properly, DO IT!!! Plus, I believe it’s more versatile (no shade to my sistas that relax). I applaud her for doing this in such an industry that is more concerned about looks nowadays instead of talent., unfortunately.

I love her hair.. I went on a ‘natural hair journey ‘ 10/08…. I dont knock those who use chemical straighteners.. h3ll I used to be one of those chicks too and I loved it back then, but I’m in the hair (here) and now LOL DO U CHRISETTE! Do u!!

as a stylist everyone should know natural hair does not always equal healthy hair. My hair broke and stayed damaged a lot when it was natural and it took a lot to keep up, My texurized hair is awesome. It’s healthy and it dosen’t take a lot to make it look nice, I rap it and in the morning I comb it down straight. If you know how to take care of your hair (even if its relaxed or natural) it will be healyth and look nice. I use a texturizer to get my hair really straight, perms are really harsh on MY hair. Know your own hair and don’t let someone else tell you whats healythy or not for YOU

I have officially decided to cut mine on May 2nd. I permed my hair for the last time last Monday and I felt disgusted! The burning, the scabs. Uuuugh, so over it! Chrisette looks lovely and I am sooooo excited about the big chop as well! I found it alarming that so many of my friends are so against me cutting it. Damn….. So many women are slaves to the “creamy crack”. Think about those words CREAMY CRACK! Crack is white, bad for you, and an expensive habit – just like a perm. Why be an addict to such a harmful substance. After watching “Good Hair” and seeing how the chemicals in relaxers destroyed that aluminum soda can I couldn’t help but think about what these same chemicals were doing to my hair and scalp. I’m done!

when i cut my hair to grow my locs, my initial reaction was i always have to wear earrings and lip gloss and my eyebrows MUST stay done. I didnt feel like a brand new woman…relieved. liberated or anything. I cut my locs and was bald again…same feeling. Ive been growing my hair out, no relaxer since last July and plan to chop the shit off again in the next two months. I dont get all these underlying feelings *kanye shrug*. I like variety and I get bored very easily. I had a head full of hair growing up which would have me to sitting in the salon for 8 hours just to get a press and curl. I guess thats why its so easy for me to cut it and keep it moving lol

I think it’s beautiful! I don’t think your hair defines you but you should be able to do whatever you’re comfortable with whether it’s a weave down your back, a big nappy afro, or no hair at all. People get so hung up over hair styles. ITS ONLY HAIR! If you want to use your hairstyle as a way of expression then more power to you!

@meow She didn’t call “our” hair nappy…she called HER hair nappy. I’m sure she knows that African American hair comes in different textures (naturally).

Not to minimize anything, but this is a big deal only because the blogs have made it a big deal. I don’t think Chrisette would have been talking too much about it (expect maybe on twitter) if she hadn’t been continually asked about it.

uMM i love what she is doing but I am my hair too it is part of me and it is relaxed and I dont care who feels im hiding or dont really love my true self. To me thats all crap I like weaves I like relaxed hair and I can do natural looks with my relaxed hair as well. One of the ways I express myself is through my hair and it depends on how im feeling it shows in my hair I also like to wear wigs. I agree with erykah and chrisette on group think but changing my hair doesnt mean i still wont be apart of group think in a certain way. Itssad but tru from a lil child to an adult we are conditioned to believe in so many things and it is up to us as adult to find our own truths and live by it. Some may not and continue to live by societies standard or whatever but at the end of the day hair and all that is really not important Yes it is apart of me but my soul and purifying it and become the woman I want to be matters more. My thing is do what u feel u are not right or wrong if u go natural but dont do because chrisette or erykah or no one else does it

I haven’t read all the comments so I’ll have to ask….. am I the only one who feel like so f*cking what?! She cut her hair, she didn’t find the cure for cancer or even mosquito bites. C’mon writing poems and what not over a hair cut, I can’t cosign on that. I just can’t.

i think she looks beautiful…i think it is a preference issue…i like short hair on her and many women look great with it…for me…my hair has been the same color and and has never been permed or relaxed…ever since i was a small child my hair has been down my back…when i was in school i would get asked the most rude things….what type of weave do u have? Are you mixed? it was very hurtful…however i have come to love the fact that my hair is thick, and long…and women should feel the same way about their short hair…confidence makes the hair look its best…doesnt matter long or short

I RECENTLY CUT MY HAIR OFF……and when you cut your hair off…it brings your face out even more….It was funny when I cut all my hair off..and my beautician turned me around in the chair…MY EYEBROWS LOOKED HORRIBLE, lmao….I have gotten more compliments on not just my hair by how pretty I look..its nice when someone says “that hairstyle looks good on you” than when they say “you hair is nice”..And what is Crazy……I have attracted more men with this hair….and more crazy than that..WHITE MEN!! I’m loving my natural hair, lol!! I won’t say I’ll never go back to the creamy Crak becuz crack is a helluva drug…but for now I’m loving the natural look and don’ t see myself going back to relaxing any time soon that’s for sure!!

It was liberating when I cut off my hair that’s for sure. I’m going to have to ride with India on the “I am not my hair” tip though. My hair is not me. It may be something I use to express me much like I use my clothing or my choice of make up or accessories but it is not me. Actually, to me hair is an accessory and cutting it all off that first time made that very real for me.

I believe that beauty is skin deep and always will be! I am glad that she is embracing her natraul look! I know that as a black woman I am constantly tripping over my hair and the latest trend I am my hair…Its good to see black women who are not scraed to step out and be yourself forget boxes and what the world may deem as beauty…its all about love of self

I don’t understand why people get all crazy about hair. It’s JUST HAIR!!! It’s not like she chopped off an arm or something. And for those of you who get all hyped and negative about it….Get A Life!!! There are more important things out there to get hyped about. I think she’s absolutely beautiful not because of her hair or outer apperance but because she has a beautiful soul.

I’m natural (big chopped in January) & everyday can bring a different challenge. However, I’m learning the journey is what you make it. No two ppl have the same type of hair & that’s what makes us beautifully unique. There’s no wrong way to do it. Whatever style you chose, just love & embrace you & take good care of your hair. I applaud Chrisette.

I find it funny that ppl think that naturals look down on others with perms. O_o Couldn’t I just perm my hair. How you wear your hair is a PERSONAL choice. If a natural woman is unhappy with her nappy hair please believe that she could just perm it. Geesh some ppl are so self absorbed and small minded. Think outside the box ppl. Do not believe the hype.

Chrissette is so pretty that she can rock ANY style, most of these chiicks are butt ugly and could never look good like that. Chrissette hair not being womanlike? STFU!! Because Chrissette is ALL woman, has the body that most chicks wish they had she can get away with the short cut. She cut it and will let it grow back natural (not planning on keeping it that way), funny how no one has a problem with Amber Rose… Oh but I get it, Amber is damn near white (if not fully) and we know how they get love for ways that they look (especially by most dudes).

Whoever said that comment about ppl who cut their hair off looking down on chicks with permed hair, bcuz they secretly hate their own hair. B*tch, that permed sh*t ain’t YOUR hair. Your hair is NAPPY, if you were so proud of your hair you would wear the natural.. Dumb A**!!

I belive you wear your hair however you want and maintain it how you want in the end you have to be happy withit. i use to get my hair pressed until the age of 8 then i got it permed . I have worn my hair permed until last november. i have transiiton my hair to it natural staight and i notice really no difference too much really I don’t put alot of heat to my hair either. i go to the dominican salon like once a month so that the heat does not damage my hair plus it grown faster. but everyone is entitiled to their own way of wearing their hair and should be comfortable

For eveyone who is thinking so what, what is the big deal? It is because there is an entire movement online dedicated to natural and/or simply healthy african american hair. I think all of us had some wtf moments with our hair and maybe have gone to some extremes that were not the healthiest, so there are some people who are very passionate about this topic. I am in the beginning stages of learning more about my hair, new products and the versatility of natural hair and it is very exciting. Just go into your local BSS and pay attention to the labels, 95% of those products are pure trash and do more harm than good to our hair.

Thanks Necole for posting an article with substance. But I understand why it’s done rarely, because it would definitely be a waste of your time. Majority of your readers(used loosely) are not reading. I think most missed the point of this article. You must do what makes you happy… if its a weave, bald head, relaxed hair, wig, natural… do it because it make you happy.. makes you feel beautiful…worry less about the criticism of others and their definition of beauty.. and more of becoming the beautiful uniquely YOU that YOU created(without the groupthink mentalilty)! peace.

She looks pretty – I didn’t like it in the first post about it (the pics with the hat) but maybe it was just the make-up or the hat or something throwing it off, because here the cut is really pretty on her. She has a gorgeous profile.

@ Smokie
ONLY women are loving the bald look on other women
****************************************************
You said everything that I wanted to say in one sentence.

Almost all men are attracted to women with hair whether they are black men, white men or whatever. Why do you think the Muslims require their women to cover their hair. A womens hair is her crown and long hair generally accentuates a womens face and make her look more femine. Some women can pull off the short or natural look but a lot can’t. Also, that buckwheat hair style that the sisters are wearing is the worst! Looks like they a combination of bushes, shrubs and hedges on top of their head. I can’t imagine anyone thinking that looks sexy. She also used the words nappy and kinky. I thought I wasn’t suppose to use those words. geez

I think that hair is hair and yes it will grow back but natural hair really isn’t for everyone not because of the way it looks but because of the up keep and maintenance, I have been natural for a few years now and I can honestly say that it does take work to keep my hair looking good but I’m fine with it because I would much rather learn and know how to take care of my hair instead of how to take care of European processed like hair. It’s not that some women don’t like to wear their hair natural some just don’t know how to care for it because they have worn it relaxed for most of their lives. The learning process was the fun part for me.

I personally would prefer that not all women become natural, then we all will look the same and I would hate it lol. I’m all for diversity, just as long as you keep your negative comments to yourself I will do the same

I believe the problem with relaxed hair is the chemicals you use are dangerous for you when used over a long periods of time. It ain’t that you have it straight but the PROCESS in which you straighten it.

If i want straight hair I blow dry on low heat, hot comb it and flat iron it.

Plus some of you pea brains don’t understand WE don’t make these god awful products and WE ain’t doin nothing but making them (white and asians) richer and richer. Why keep lacing their pockets when none of that money rotates to OUR communities? If we take each black woman’s five dollars and invest in our families and communities we would make a big difference and perhaps achieve some wealth among us.

We NEVER needed relaxers and chemicals and it’s sad to see more black women are dependent on sodium hydroxide.

Maybe you guys need to read more and educate yourselves about the dangers of sodium hydroxide and what it does to your skull and ultimate your BRAIN!!

I’m not looking down on women who relaxes……….i’m looking down on women who relaxes and don’t EDUCATE herself or the women who really relaxes because she was taught to hate her hair and let society dictates HOW she should look.

Just because someone’s hair isn’t relaxed, it doesn’t mean that it’s natural. I think there is a big misconception there. There is nothing natural about putting color in your hair. Hair in its natural state doesn’t contain any chemical. These are all hairstyles whether you have an afro, perm, blowout, weave, dreds, braids, etc. I know so many people who are “natural” but they have so many products for their hair. I think people focus on the hairstyle and label it as “natural” If you wear dreds, afro, shaven head, locs, then people say “you are natural” When in actuality people with all of these styles add chemicals to their hair. No one is truly natural.

i can not understand y natural hair is such a big deal??? even when someone is wearing a weave it can look real NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE WHO WEAR A WEAVE /RELAXED HAIR HATE THEMSELVES OR WANT TO BE WHITE!!! NOT ALL BLACK WOMEN WHO SHAVE THEIR HEAD ARE DOING IT FOR A STATEMENT OR TO FEEL MORE BLACK!! IF THERE IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT HAIR IT NEEDS TO BE ABOUT THE HAIR PRODUCTS BECAUSE ACCORDING TO GOOD HAIR THE BLACK HAIR PRODUCTS AND IT’S MONEY ARE NOT BENEFITING THE BLACK COMMUNITY AT ALL YET WE’RE FUNDING THE WHOLE PROCESS! SPEAK ON THAT!

I must say she looks absolutely beautiful…..what I don’t understand is why people jump on her for wanting to be chemical free and embrace what she was naturally given, and here you have chicks sporting pink, green, purple and doll yellow friggin hair… that’s the shit you should be worried about cuz that’s what your teenage kids are seeing and copyin…which then spreads down the ladders and the babies wanna do it…I am telling you I have not put a damn relaxer in my head for almost 4 months now and the damn headaches have stopped. I see all types of things going on with my hair now. I do have in micros like I said before, but I now see true new growth and some grey…lol.. for the next 2 years I will be weaved and heavily conditioned underneath. I will see my hair every three months for a conditioning treatment and to get in a freshly done weave… and ladies, when you get your sew ins, buy the hair 2 days before you get your hair done and wash and condition the weave hair…and let it air dry. It will keep longer and you wash out all the chemicals they put in it to make it shiny, and whatnot before they sell it.

@zoe…
corrections… people who wear locs and not “fashion locs” do not put chemicals in their hair.. natural locs do not require any chemicals, gels, or roots to loc their hair.. hence the term “natty dred”.. the hair is just twisted when new growth appears and “mats” so be sure to specify when speaking about locs… cuz what you see these days are a “fashion” iposed hairstyles….

I did my big chop on New Years day. And with this jouney you have your good day and your not so good days. you have haters and you have ppl that embrace it. at the end of the day it what you are proud of and the love of yourself, whether that be relaxed or natural. DO YOU!!!

I like her hair..I mean hair is hair it will grow back..black women are bashed when the hair is cut short..when we wear weaves or wear it natural..we cant win..I had to shave my hair off do to so much damage …but I wear weaves and I like them..I actually ove them…I appreciate women who feel comfortable with themselves…natural/weaved up or a gel down…long as you like it I love it!!!

One the first video at the college that’s not what she said, she said that she was tired of sisters running around with permed hair and stuff, please stay true to what you mean and feel. But this interview was a ppsitive one and she looks more radiant then before!

Muslims require women to cover their bossums on down, NOT their hair. I’m a muslim woman who chooses NOT to wear my hijab outside of the masjid. Step your knowledge game up before you go digging into a crate of pirhanas. And as far as only women being in admiration of her BC do, get your mind out the gutta. I’ve seen many dudes who’ve said she’s still fine. And said the same thing about Badu, and SHE’S STILL BALD! Some of you speaking negative of Chrisette and any other female who has a natural or BC style are probably the same people that are white man’s bitches.

Muslims require women to cover their bossums on down, NOT their hair.
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Yeah ok go over to Saudi Arabia or a few of those CONSERVATIVE muslim countries with your hair swinging from side to side and see what happens. Unless Or maybe you have a “boy cut” and they can’t figure out your gender???? Hillary Clinton can’t go over there uncovered maybe u have a little more pull than the Secretary of State. Whether u like it or not and disagree with the obvious fact; MOST men of all races prefer hair. There’s someone for everyone. That’s the beauty of life.

Its sad that this is an issue.
If you cut your hair good for you.
If a woman perms her hair dont call it damaged. Get over the fact that you tried to perm your hair and it broke off and you had to cut it all off. We dont care. Putting up your “big chop” date like it was the day you got saved or something. Its just hair.

But why do black people feel like going natural is something to praise, it’s like some black people associate natural with intellect and college degrees, I saw a women on t.v asking should she get rid of her natural hair because she wanted a job in corporate America,

Please stop with the black panther I’m not going to buy into corporate america blah blah. Stop making hair an issue and tool against white America, hair is a stupid tool to use as a cultural identifier and defense against conformity

EVERY RACE USES CHEMICALS/tools for straightening but it’s only the blacks who are frauds to their culture..Jewish and Mexican women with fro curls can straighten and white women can perm for curls-that’s all good, but a black is a traitor for it, Kathy Griffin doesn’t flaunt her puffy hair all the time, the Indian lady that host Shear Genius doesn’t wear her natural texture, Monica from friends doesn’t. Where’s their traitor to the race title

Why only blacks have to be kinked up and part of the earth but every other human can comb their hair, this why people don’t like being around us because some take things to dang far, everythings a race issue…Hair, is this really worth a movie, statement, protest a fight.

She is beautiful and it works for her, but she can “get away” with it b/c she is an entertainer in the music business and can easily flip the script and have a weave on tomorrow, for us regular folk that have to hold 9-5, this is not easy..yes, I see some woman do it, but please, if I go bald, my boss would probably send me for a psych evaluation thinking my azz is crazy…

and..also, she has a pretty face, that’s a must and the only other way you can pull off bald.

Props to her for letting it go, I wish I could, it would save me some seriously money, don’t do weaves, but its still expenssive as fck..getting weekly wash n sets.

i think it’s beautiful…at first i was kind of like ??? but now i hear her reasoning i cant agree more. and i wish people get the memo she’s not bald…she wants to be natural and she is going to grow her hair out. whether long hair, epiphany cut, or this Chrisette is a beautiful human being inside and out. If you dont think so then oh well…she did this for her not for everyone else.

@lily12321e i think people react that way b/c black women have been conditioned to think their hair is ugly and that they don’t have “good” hair. that’s the only reason it’s an issue and white people are the ones who embedded that notion into society b/c part of the reason why we were seen as the “other” was b/c of our hair.

i’ve been natural for two years and i do feel liberated b/c this was something i never would’ve done when i was younger and bought into the idea that my hair wasn’t right (i never bc’ed though-i transitioned). i permed it and thank god my hair was healthy and long so i never had problems but i switched to natural b/c i couldn’t remember my natural texture and that’s a problem to me. i don’t have issues with women who perm their hair b/c i used to do it and all of the women in my family (minus the elders) do it but for me, i wanted to know i could be natural even though society has another standard of beauty. i do think though that black women, mainly permed women, don’t really take care of their hair though so that’s my only gripe (no shade to permed women but the thing is, when women go natural, they go out their way to learn what products work for their hair and they make sure to use natural products etc.-they change their whole mindset on how they approach their hair whereas a lot of permed women i know wash with shampoos that don’t have great ingredients and grease their hair too much-but there are a lot of permed women with very healthy hair b/c they do what the naturals do-they research). oh and i hate the fact that women perm their children’s hair. that’s disgusting to me.

I’ve been natural for four years now, and I’m only 18. I love it! I don’t have to deal with my hair breaking off like it did with a relaxer. Kudos to Chrisette for doing what many women are afraid to do! Same goes to Solange and India Arie.

“I was tired of black sista’s feeling subject to having their hair pressed and straightened, and damaged, with relaxers, and heat. So I wanted to make short and nappy hair fashionable, and let the industry know that there is nothing wrong with the texture that we have been born with. So I plan to grow it out to the big beautiful nappy hair that I have.” -Chrisette Michele

She had made those comments as well. I want this aspect of why she cut her hair to be promoted as well, besides her freedom aspect. Both are strong messages….

@ I’m kind ofa big deal Co-sign!!!! Why are people acting like she found the cure to HIV, cancer, discovered a new planet, stopped world hunger, etc. It is not that big of a deal, sorry she cut her hair plain and simple…no statement made

sighs…here we go again, does anybody ever get tired of talking about this debate. NEWSFLASH: For the last time, there is no such thing as healthy hair. Hair is DEAD, the only thing that is healthy is your scalp which hair serves as a protection. So people please… with this Healthy hair b.s. Secondly, yes relaxers and other hair products and treatments we use has harah chemicals and such but guess what SO does everything else we use daily that is harmful to us due ot the additives mainly our FOOD, let’s address that. Personally, I think black people need to let this debate go because nothing is being solved like Chrisette said, JUST DO YOU AND ROCK YOUR INDIVIDUALITY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION wheather your natural, relaxed, bald, have it in curls, a mohawk, wear weaves and wigs etc. WHO CARES do you. Their are other things in our communities that we should be worried about and hair is not one of them! worry about your hair and how you like it because black hair doesn’t represent how “black you are or down with the cause” or that you are whitewash or self hate yourself. Goodness….NEXT Let’s have this same energy and drive when debating HIV in the black community, education, being poor, not hair.

Futhermore, I find it funny that people will die and change their lifestyles to fit their hair needs and express it however they want too but eat things that kill us on a daily basis, give us high blood pressure and cause us to be obese, not put the same time and energy in our education and jobs so we can climb the corporate ladder or work on our families and inner self, but as long as we have so called “good, healthy hair” at the end of the day right…sighs SMH

I went natural for 2 1/2 years and it was very freeing! I was insecure for a few months so i wore a big wig….lol! One day i went to work with Big hair then the next day i went to work looking like solange…lol! My co-workers were very silent and my mom thought i needed to be hospitalized! It’s so funny how people care more about how you look then you do! But i’m back to the creamy crack cause i wanted a new look and honey…nappy hair is serious business! I can’t believe the Good Lord did that too “us” HAHA! I couldn’t sweat too hard, when I woke up my hair would be mated on one side and the natural salon was more than the regular salon! I guess I thought nappy was low maintenance *buzzer* wrong answer! But you know what… I would do it again:-)

she looks fierce! what’s beautiful is that black women can be so versatile in our hairstyle choices which run the gamut of short/medium/long in length, thick, bushy, nappy, braided, loc’d, curly, wavy, naturally straight, relaxed & straight & even weaved or lace fronted up. what’s ugly is the fact that so many BLACK people (especially women) seriously believe that wearing the natural texture that GOD gave us is ugly, uncouth, country, unstylish…something to be ashamed of because it does not look like the white girls’ hair & to me that is sickening. as long as the style of your choosing is well put together then people need to get over it. for real though!

Yeah ok go over to Saudi Arabia or a few of those CONSERVATIVE muslim countries with your hair swinging from side to side and see what happens. Unless

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If I were to go over there dressed unmodestly, which would include clothing that exposes my figure, something like beyonce would wear, THAT is what will cause something to happen. All women in saudi arabia don’t completely cover their hair. Just like all the men there don’t wear kuhfis all the time. Hillary has nothing to do with that. And if men preferred women to have hair, then why are all of these MARRIED WITH CHILDREN women in African countries sporting bald cuts? I guess if the script was flipped, us women would prefer for a man NOT to have long hair with braids/extensions cause it makes yall look feminine.

She looks great! Black men and women need to stop insulting fellow sisters who go natural with their hair.

Any and all criticisms I’ve ever gotten about my hair have ALWAYS been from other black people–makes you think how much self-harm a community does to itself with that kind of thinking.

I used to relax my hair, got tired of it and stopped, now my hair’s long and natural. I don’t have any problem with people who want to relax hair, unless they want to relax toddlers’/young children’s hair–that’s just wrong in my opinion.

I also agree that women with natural hair need to get off the high horse and stop looking down on women who relax their hair, or use a weave. No need to be militant about hair, the conflict is useless and a waste of energy.

I have been reading these comments and some of it is pure comedy. Hair is hair but if my hair can look just as it does with a perm without a perm, then there is no need for me to use any chemicals. I have been natural for almost 3 years and my hair is beautiful beyond belief. I didn’t even know that it could look like this. I’ve had people come up to me just to play in my hair and I have even had people to believe that my hair was a wig. There is nothing wrong with getting a perm but I suggest those who do to watch “Good Hair” by Chris Rock. I guarantee it will change your whole mental concept on the “perm” thing.

Any and all criticisms I’ve ever gotten about my hair have ALWAYS been from other black people

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And that’s what’s crazy about it. Like Chrisette said in one of these interviews, a lot of people become slaves to the industry as far as what others want their image to be rather than them being able to be themselves. That’s just like the issue on whether or not men who have cornrows or locks aren’t considered “professional” when it comes to trying to get a job.

I have been natural for 7 years; from January 2003-presently. I have had my hair cut that short for about a year and a half from July 2008- October 2009. I really like it, it looks cute on me; plus I like the way it feels. I do want a change just because I get restless and want to experience a new hairstyle so I have let my hair grow longer and this Saturday, I will begin locks. I cannot wait! Anyways, I like the hair cut Chrisette Michelle.

Do YOU Chrisette! I am gonna BUY (not bootleg) your CDs every single time they are relased because i know it is quality music. I personally like your hair but so what? I’m not wearing it. Do what makes you feel comfortable & Keep singing that Real Music! God Bless!

I hated that Pompadore that lived on top of her head … Do you Chrisette .. Good Look !! I also think that this makes her look smaller , not that she was fat!! Plus everyone cant do the Caesar .. Rock it out girl !

I went natural back in 2006. Since,2006 I kept a very short afro.Then, January 2009 I shaved off my hair. And, I felt liberated. I recieved more dirty looks from my own race. Whom are African-Americans. I felt like they should’ve been more understanding. And, I did’nt have to spend the money. Every few weeks to get a retouch and in between up keep. And, once the summer came around I wasn’t sitting on the sidelines afriad of getting their hair wet. I jumped in the pool and actually was able to not wory about my hair. In going natural I noticed my hair has a nice curl pattern. And ,yes its hard to comb at times but who cares. I’m enjoying life a whole lot more. And, I don’t have to hide from rain,snow or even heat. Because, I’m nota slave to my hair anymore.

I like it she has a pretty face. I read somewhere alot of the products made for African-American hair are not good for our hair. And, the company’s are owned by rich white people. Who know nothing about our hair. I use to be one of those people paying $200-$300 for a weave.I did’nt really have it to spend. That ended up breaking my hair off. And, I know friends who have been wearing weaves for ever.And, when they take the weave out. Their hair is short as Chrisette’s hair. I see nothing wrong with natural hair. We need to start being more conscious of ourselves. And, stop juding people about stupid things like hair. Because, it is self hate. Rich white folks has programmed us to believe that straight and silky hair is acceptable. But, afro kinky, or curly hair is ugly. This has been taught back during slavery.

I love it. It screams confidence. Not many women (including me) would do something like this. She is truly comfortable with herself. Hell it took me so long to get the guts to go natural. But now that I have done it, I am in love with myself even more.

She was beautiful before and she’s beautiful now. She didn’t shave her head, she still has hair and its pretty. And I respect her for going against the grain and being who she wants to be. Going natural was the best decision i’ve ever made. And Allen you are so ignorant .

Chrissette’s hair is fabulous! I applaud her for having the courage to redefine our beauty! Too many of us feel the NEED to add hair extensions and the like. Why? Deep in our psyches is the age-old, gnawing sense that we are not good enough, as is. I have been wearing locks for the past 7 years. My hair is down my back……but within a month, I will be rocking the Chrissette Michele cut….color and all!!! As one of the previous posters shared……it’s time for me to infuse NEW ENERGY into my life!

Sistas!!! I encourage you all to let go of the notion that our GOD given looks are not good enough……In fact, our looks are in PERFECT alignment.

Be HAPPY 2 B Nappy!!! TRUE bruthas (the only ones I want to apply) love you for the strength & courage that you exude au natural…..

I strongly recommend ______ B l a c k W h i t e D a t e * C o m ______ to you where I just found my interracial boyfriend! You know it is a great place to meet black men and beautiful women. What’s kind of relationship do you want?

she looks HOt, still very girly and wearing her own natural hair that God gave her ! its a beatiful thing ! more black women need to stop WASTINg money buying those wigs, weaves, extensions, perms since we are making Other folks who are nonblack that don’t like us, respect us or invest money in our communities. i cannot remember the last time i saw a korean man with or married to a black woman since some of us LIVE at these folks beauty supply stores. It has been reported that RElaxers/Chemicals might be Linked to the High incidence of breast cancer, etc in the black women ?

of course that first comment had to be fuckery. some bored hater in front of a keyboard. Natural hair is beautiful and she shouldn’t have to explain her style but since she did these haters can either take it or leave it.

Just so you know natural hair that is colored is no longer natural. Light blonde/brown is not her natural haircolor. Color is a chemical… Just because you don’t have a relaxer but you have color doesn’t make you natural. Natural would be your own hair color and texture, not just hair texture… The ones that are natural are not any better than the ones with relaxers. Do you and do what you like with your hair.

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